Electroconvulsive therapy use in New South Wales between 1944 and 1949.
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| Title: | Electroconvulsive therapy use in New South Wales between 1944 and 1949. |
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| Authors: | Draper, Brian (AUTHOR), Wijeratne, Chanaka (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Australasian Psychiatry. Jun2025, Vol. 33 Issue 3, p481-485. 5p. |
| Subjects: | Electroconvulsive therapy, Clinical indications, Post-World War II Period, Mental health, Treatment effectiveness, Death rate, Psychoses |
| Geographic Terms: | New South Wales |
| Abstract: | Aims: To identify clinical and other factors associated with the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in New South Wales for the period 1944–1949 and to compare with contemporaneous practice. Method: Annual reports of the Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals in NSW (1944/45 to 1948/49) were examined. Main findings: Seven hospitals reported a total of 8964 courses of treatment during the period. Demographically, 60.6% of patients who received ECT were female, and rural hospitals reported 13.6% of courses. ECT was as likely to be given for non-affective psychoses (37.7%), as for affective psychoses (35.0%). ECT was also administered for confusional states and non-psychotic disorders. Better outcomes were observed for depression, anxiety and confusional states than non-affective psychoses. Recovery rates declined over the study period. Mortality was <1%. Conclusions: The clinical indications for ECT in the mid-twentieth century in NSW were much broader than currently. There has been no change in the sex ratio of patients administered ECT or reported mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Aims: To identify clinical and other factors associated with the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in New South Wales for the period 1944–1949 and to compare with contemporaneous practice. Method: Annual reports of the Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals in NSW (1944/45 to 1948/49) were examined. Main findings: Seven hospitals reported a total of 8964 courses of treatment during the period. Demographically, 60.6% of patients who received ECT were female, and rural hospitals reported 13.6% of courses. ECT was as likely to be given for non-affective psychoses (37.7%), as for affective psychoses (35.0%). ECT was also administered for confusional states and non-psychotic disorders. Better outcomes were observed for depression, anxiety and confusional states than non-affective psychoses. Recovery rates declined over the study period. Mortality was <1%. Conclusions: The clinical indications for ECT in the mid-twentieth century in NSW were much broader than currently. There has been no change in the sex ratio of patients administered ECT or reported mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10398562 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10398562241306899 |
